System and method for interactive digital content generation

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a system for automated generation and/or execution of an interactive content object having content related to a video game application. In some implementations, the interactive content object may comprise interactive digital content that may be distributed to and/or executed on one or more computer system gaming platforms and/or other interactive media devices. Interactive content objects may be configured such that they may be included in the video game application and/or executed by the video game application. Interactive content objects may also be configured as standalone products. Interactive content objects may be configured such that they may be remotely patched and/or updated without updating the video game application. In some implementations, the interactive content object may comprise one or more of an instruction manual, a strategy guidebook, a cheat book, a mini-game, episodic content, and/or other applications.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a system for automated generation and/orexecution of an interactive content object having content related to avideo game application.

BACKGROUND

Typically, gaming software requires an instruction manual. Other supportdocumentation (e.g., strategy guides, a cheat book, legal documents) isalso generated to support gaming software. Many publishers are currentlyengaged in an effort to reduce print costs by finding a digital solutionto this requirement. The digital solutions generated by publishers thusfar are typically developed by a third party and either separate fromthe gaming software (no interaction between the gaming software and thedigital solutions generated by publishers, such as a downloadable PDF orimage from a website), or are rudimentary and static. As such, currentmanuals and/or other support documentation are constructed of a staticimage and are only navigable through a page forward/page back interface.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system for automatedgeneration and/or execution of an interactive content object havingcontent related to a video game application. In some implementations,the interactive content object may have content related to a video gameapplication. In some implementations, the interactive content object maycomprise interactive digital content that may be distributed to and/orexecuted on one or more computer system gaming platforms and/or otherinteractive media devices (e.g., Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStationVita, Mac, PC, Wii, 3DS, iOS, Android, Wii U, Xbox 720 (current work inprogress name for the next Microsoft game console), PlayStation 4(current work in progress name for the next Sony PlayStation console),and future unannounced consoles/platforms). The interactive contentobject may be configured such that it may be included in the video gameapplication and/or executed by the video game application. In someimplementations, the interactive content object may be executed by thirdparty software. In some implementations the interactive content objectmay be configured to run separately from the video game application. Theinteractive content object may be configured such that it may beremotely patched and/or updated (e.g., automatically) with or withoutupdating the video game application. In some implementations, theinteractive content object may comprise electronic media files, a mediaplayer, and/or other components.

The media player may be configured to execute one or more electronicmedia files within the video game application. The media player may beexecuted by the video game application. The interactive content objectmay be configured to be executed in the video game application, by thevideo game application, such that the interactive content object appearsas part of the video game interface.

In some implementations, executing electronic media files with the videogame application may comprise determining information related to thevideo game application. Determining information related to the videogame application may comprise reading current game play data from thevideo game application, reading saved data from the video gameapplication, performing a search within the video game application basedon user input, tracking video game application metrics, and/ordetermining other information. In some implementations, executingelectronic media files with the video game application may compriseupdating the determined information based on one or more of user input,the user's progression through the video game application, or anelectronic update to the interactive content object.

In some implementations, the media player may be configured to “pop up”within the video game application. In some implementations, the mediaplayer may be an Adobe Flash media player. In some implementations, themedia player is a custom built player. The interactive content objectmay be configured to include views and/or video separate from the videogame application such that the separate views and/or video still appearwithin videogame application.

The electronic media files and/or the media player may include technicalelements configured to aid in computer system gaming platform and/orother interactive media device integration. For example, the executableelectronic media files and/or the media player may be configured to callup a platform's virtual keyboard, read saved data from the video gameapplication, search for text, track videogame application metrics,and/or communicate with external networks, databases, and/or theinternet. Communication with external networks, databases, and/or theinternet may provide the ability to permit post-developmentcommunication (e.g., allowing remote updating). In some implementations,remote updating may comprise automatic remote updating. In someimplementations the electronic media files and/or the media player maybe configured with file types that are different than the file types ofthe video game application such that the interactive content object maybe remotely patched and/or updated with or without updating the videogame application.

In some implementations, the interactive content object may comprise oneor more of an instruction manual, a strategy guidebook, a cheat book, amini-game, episodic content, a digital catalog, and/or otherapplications.

The instruction manual may comprise stacked views navigable in forwardand/or backward directions, a navigable and linkable table of contents,a search function (able to search within the video game applicationand/or across a network such as the internet), and/or other features. Insome implementations, the instruction manual may utilize Actionscriptand/or Flash, rich media including animation, embedded video, expandablestills, custom non-linear navigation, and/or other functionality.

A strategy guidebook may be configured to interact with the progress ofa user (e.g., by reading save files) through the video game applicationor other related data files and deliver content appropriate to theusers' current game location. In some implementations, the strategyguidebook may be configured to use user tracking metrics to offerstrategy content at difficult points in the user's progress through thevideo game application. For example, a user may be stuck at a certainpoint and the strategy guidebook may be configured to offer a strategyvideo for the troubling section within the game environment. In someimplementations, the strategy may be offered for a fee.

In some implementations, the interactive content object may be generatedwith a web content application generator. A web application contentgenerator may comprise a set of web development tools configured toallow individuals with limited design skill to generate a web basedapplication with content related to the video game application.

The system for automated generation of the interactive content objectmay comprise non-transient electronic storage and a processor. Thenon-transient electronic storage may be configured to store electronicinformation. The processor may be configured to execute computer programmodules. The computer program modules may comprise a parameter module, atemplate generation module, a template population module, an interactivecontent object generation module, and a storage module.

The parameter determination module may be configured to determineparameters related to the video game application. The parametersdetermined by the parameter module may comprise one or more of the videogame application assets, an interactive media device configured to runthe video game application, a video game application controller, a gamegenre, a target demographic, and/or other parameters.

The template generation module may be configured to generate a templateby selecting one or more views from a set of template components. Theselection of the one or more template views may be based on informationdetermined by the parameter module.

The template population module may be configured to populate thetemplate with information related to the video game application. Thetemplate population module may be configured to guide the user topopulate the template with information related to the video gameapplication. The template population module may be configured to guide auser to populate one or more fields of one or more views of the templatewith information related to the video game application. The user maypopulate the one or more fields via a user interface. The user interfacemay be configured to provide an interface between the system and theuser through which the user provides information to and receivesinformation from the system.

The interactive content object generation module may be configured togenerate the interactive content object based on the populated template.As described above, the interactive content object may compriseelectronic media files, a media player and/or other components. Themedia player may be configured to execute one or more of the electronicmedia files within the video game application. The media player may beexecutable by the video game application. The interactive content objectmay comprise one or more of an instruction manual, a strategy guidebook,a cheat book, a mini-game, or episodic content. A user may determine thetype of interactive content object by making selections via the userinterface.

The storage module may be configured to store the interactive contentobject on the non-transient electronic storage.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the systemand/or method disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation andfunctions of the related elements of structure and the combination ofparts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent uponconsideration of the following description and the appended claims withreference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of thisspecification, wherein like reference numerals designate correspondingparts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however,that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and descriptiononly and are not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singularform of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an interactive content object.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a system for automated generationof the interactive content object.

FIG. 3 illustrates various views of an instruction manual exampleorganized into chapters.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a gamepad content view.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a screenshot content view.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a text content view.

FIG. 7 depicts an example of a video content view.

FIG. 8 illustrates the functionality of a parser.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a computer system configured toexecute the interactive content object.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a computer system communicatingwith a server over a network.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for automated generation of an interactivecontent object with a generation system.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method to execute an interactive content object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an interactive content object 2.In some implementations, interactive content object 2 may have contentrelated to a video game application. In some implementations,interactive content object 2 may comprise interactive digital contentthat may be distributed to and/or executed on one or more computersystem gaming platforms and/or other interactive media devices (e.g.,Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Mac, PC, Wii, 3DS, iOS,Android, Wii U, Xbox 720 (current working title), PlayStation 4 (currentworking title), and future unannounced consoles/platforms). Interactivecontent object 2 may be configured such that it may be included in thevideo game application and/or executed by the video game application. Insome implementations, the interactive content object may be executed bythird party software. In some implementations the interactive contentobject may be configured to run separately from the video gameapplication. Interactive content object 2 may be configured such that itmay be remotely patched and/or updated (e.g., automatically) with orwithout updating the video game application. In some implementations,interactive content object 2 may comprise electronic media files 4, amedia player 6, and/or other components.

Media player 6 may be configured to execute one or more electronic mediafiles 4 within the video game application. Media player 6 may beexecuted by the video game application. Interactive content object 2 maybe configured to be executed in the video game application, by the videogame application, such that interactive content object 2 appears as partof the video game interface.

In some implementations, executing electronic media files 4 with thevideo game application may comprise determining information related tothe video game application. Determining information related to the videogame application may comprise reading current game play data from thevideo game application, reading saved data from the video gameapplication, performing a search within the video game application basedon user input, tracking video game application metrics, and/ordetermining other information. In some implementations, executingelectronic media files 4 with the video game application may compriseupdating the determined information based on one or more of user input,the user's progression through the video game application, or anelectronic update to interactive content object 2.

In some implementations, media player 6 may be configured to “pop up”within the video game application. In some implementations, media player6 may be an Adobe Flash media player. Interactive content object 2 maybe configured to include views and/or video separate from the video gameapplication such that the separate views and/or video still appearwithin videogame application.

Electronic media files 4 and/or media player 6 may include technicalelements (e.g., console languages, resolution, parental security level,etc.) configured to aid in computer system gaming platform and/or otherinteractive media device integration. For example, the executableelectronic media files 4 and/or media player 6 may be configured to callup a platform's virtual keyboard, read saved data from the video gameapplication, search for text, track videogame application metrics,and/or communicate with external networks, databases, and/or theinternet. Communication with external networks, databases, and/or theinternet may provide the ability to permit post-developmentcommunication (e.g., allowing remote updating). In some implementations,remote updating may comprise automatic remote updating. In someimplementations electronic media files 4 and/or media player 6 may beconfigured with file types that are different than the file types of thevideo game application such that interactive content object 2 may beremotely patched and/or updated with or without updating the video gameapplication.

In some implementations, interactive content object 2 may be generatedwith a web application content generator. A web application contentgenerator may comprise a set of web development tools configured toallow individuals with limited design skill to generate a web basedapplication. In some implementations, the interactive content object maycomprise one or more of an instruction manual, a strategy guidebook, acheat book, a mini-game, episodic content, digital catalog, and/or otherapplications.

The instruction manual may comprise stacked views navigable in forwardand/or backward directions, a navigable and linkable table of contents,a search function (able to search within the video game applicationand/or across a network such as the internet), and/or other features. Insome implementations, the instruction manual may utilize Actionscriptand/or Flash, rich media including animation, embedded video, expandablestills, custom non-linear navigation, and/or other functionality.

A strategy guidebook may be configured to interact with the progress ofa user (e.g., by reading save files) through the video game applicationand deliver content appropriate to the users current game location. Insome implementations, the strategy guidebook may be configured to useuser tracking metrics to offer strategy content at difficult points inthe user's progress through the video game application. For example, auser may be stuck at a certain point and the strategy guidebook may beconfigured to offer a strategy video for the troubling section throughin-game dialog box and/or violator. In some implementations, thestrategy may be offered for a fee.

It will be appreciated that the description herein of the distribution,execution, and/or other associates of interactive content object 2 witha “video game application” is not intended to be limiting. In someimplementations, interactive content object 2 may be associated with(e.g., distributed with, executed by, and/or associated with in otherways) other types of software applications executed on one or moreclient computing platforms.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a system 10 for automatedgeneration of the interactive content object having content related to avideo game application. System 10 may be configured to generate theinteractive content object with minimal developer support. In someimplementations, system 10 comprises a processor 20, non-transientelectronic storage 40, user interface 50, and/or other components.

As shown in FIG. 2, processor 20 may be configured to execute one ormore computer program modules. The one or more computer program modulescomprise one or more of a parameter determination module 22, a templategeneration module 24, a template population module 26, an interactivecontent object generation module 28, a storage module 32, and/or othermodules.

Parameter determination module 22 is configured to determine one or moreparameters within system 10. The one or more parameters within system 10may comprise parameters related to the video game application, and/orother parameters. The video game application may comprise a game engine,a rendering engine, textures, sounds, animation, graphics, scripting,and/or other components. The parameters determined by parameterdetermination module 22 may comprise one or more of the video gameapplication assets, an interactive media device configured to run thevideo game application, a video game application controller, a gamegenre, a target demographic, console, template items, boiler platedocumentation, and/or other parameters. Parameter module 22 maydetermine parameter information by reading current game play data fromthe video game application, reading saved data from the video gameapplication, performing a search within the video game application,based on user input, tracking video game application metrics, and/or byother methods. The information determined by parameter determinationmodule 22 may be used during template generation by template generationmodule 24, template population by template population module 26, and/orused for other uses.

Template generation module 24 may be configured to generate a templatefor the interactive content object generated by system 10. Templategenerator module 24 may be configured to generate a template byselecting one or more views and/or other template components (e.g.,entry fields, text, graphics, navigational linkages, video fields) froma set of template components. In some implementations, the set oftemplate components may exist at the time template control module beginsto generate a template. In some implementations, the template componentsmay correspond to different parameters of interactive content object 2.The set of template components may be determined at manufacture,determined from information entered by a user via user interface 50,determined from previous template generation by template generationmodule 24, and/or determined by another method. Information entered by auser via user interface 50 may include, for example, the type ofinteractive content object (e.g., instruction manual, a strategyguidebook, a cheat book, a mini-game, episodic content, etc.). Theselection of the one or more template views may be based on informationdetermined by parameter determination module 22, and/or otherinformation. Based on the parameters determined by parameterdetermination module 22 and/or other information, template generationmodule 24 may be configured to generate a template with an appropriatefile size, resolution, and/or other specifications relative to the videogame application.

By way of a non-limiting example, FIG. 3-FIG. 7, show different views ofan instruction manual template generated by template generation module24 for a video game application. It will be appreciated that thedescription herein of the instruction manual template is not intended tobe limiting. In some implementations, one or more of the describedviews, and/or other views may be generated and/or populated for aninteractive content object other than an instruction manual template.FIG. 3 illustrates various views 200 of the instruction manual organizedinto chapters 202. Each chapter 202 may comprise one or more views 200.

Views 200 may have a designated content type. In the example shown inFIG. 3, the designated content types comprise text 204, gamepad 206,screenshot 208, and video 210. The different template views 200 may beconfigured to receive content from the template population module 26(shown in FIG. 2), content entered by a user via user interface 50(shown in FIG. 2), content from non-transient electronic storage 40(shown in FIG. 2), and/or other content. Text content 204 template viewsmay be configured to receive descriptive language about the video gameapplication, text acquired from the video game application, and/or othertext content. Gamepad 206 template views may be configured to receiveinformation related to the controller for a gaming system or otherinteractive media device. Screenshot 208 template views may beconfigured to receive images related to the video game application.Video 210 template views may be configured to accept video related tothe video game application. The content types described in FIG. 3 arefor illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting. Thecontent types for views generated by template generation module 24(shown in FIG. 2) may include content types in addition to and/or otherthan those listed above. The different views may not be limited toproviding only one type of content. For example, one or more views 200may provide one or more types of content (e.g., text 204 and video 210).

Template generation module 24 (shown in FIG. 2) may be configured togenerate a template such that a user may navigate through views 200linearly and/or non-linearly. Linear navigation may comprise scrollingbetween views 200 visiting each view in a pre-determined order. Duringlinear navigation a user may be able to scroll in a forward directionfrom the final view in one chapter 202 to the first view in thefollowing chapter 202 (and/or vice versa if scrolling in the reversedirection). Non-linear navigation may comprise a user navigating to aspecific view 200 by making a selection from a table of contentsincluded in the generated template, performing a search and making aselection from the search results, manually navigating to a desiredview, and/or by other methods. In some implementations, a template maycomprise one view 200 (e.g., for a webisode) with no view to viewnavigation necessary.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a gamepad content view 300 generated bytemplate generation module 24 (shown in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 4, insome implementations, gamepad view 300 may comprise a gamepad diagramfield 302, a header text field 304, one or more callout label fields306, a description field 308, a navigation blade field 310, one or morehighlighted callout fields 312, and/or other fields. Gamepad diagramfield 302 may be generated by template generation module 24 (shown inFIG. 2). Gamepad diagram field 302 may be generated based on informationrelated to the interactive media device configured to run the video gameapplication (determined by parameter determination module 22 shown inFIG. 2). Navigation blade field 310 may indicate to a user the positionof view 300 relative to other views in the template. Navigation bladefield 310 may be configured to allow a user to navigate to another viewby selecting another view within navigation blade field 310. Gamepadview 300 may be configured to include other fields in addition to and/orinstead of those shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a screenshot content view 400. As shown inFIG. 5, in some implementations, screen shot view 400 may comprise ascreenshot image field 402, a header text field 404, one or more calloutlabel fields 406, a description field 408, a navigation blade field 410,one or more highlighted callout fields 412, and/or other fields.Screenshot image field 402 may be configured to receive one or moreimages related to the video game application. Screenshot content view400 may be configured to include other fields in addition to and/orinstead of those shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a text content view 500. As shown in FIG.6, text content view 500 may comprise a text body field 502, a headertext field 504, a non-interactive element field 506, an interactiveelement field 507, a navigation blade field 508, and/or other fields.Non interactive element field 506 may be configured to receive images,videos, and/or other non interactive information related to the videogame application that corresponds to the text that text body field 502is configured to receive. Interactive element field 507 may comprise aselectable item and/or graphic within the context of view 500 inside theapplication. Text content view 500 may be configured to include otherfields in addition to and/or instead of those shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 depicts an example of a video content view 600. As shown in FIG.7, video content view 600 may comprise a video player field 602, aheader text field 604, a control bar field 606, a navigation blade field608, and/or other fields. Video player field 602 may be configured toplay video related to the video game application. Control bar field 606may be configured to include controls such that a user may play a videowithin video player field 602. Video content view 600 may be configuredto include other fields in addition to and/or instead of those shown inFIG. 7. By way of a non-limiting example a single video content view maybe generated as the template for a webisode interactive content object.

Returning to FIG. 2, template population module 26 may be configured topopulate the template (e.g., the various views and/or fields describedabove) generated by template generation module 24 with informationrelated to the video game application. In some implementations, templatepopulation module 26 may be configured to populate the templateautomatically. Template population module 26 may be configured topopulate the template automatically based on information determined byparameter determination module 22, template generation module 24,information entered by a user via user interface 50, information storedin electronic storage 40, information related to the video gameapplication determined by template population module 26, and/or otherinformation. In some implementations, template population module 26 maybe configured to control user interface 50 to guide a user to populatethe template with information related to the video game application. Insome implementations template population module 26 is configured controluser interface 50 to guide a user to populate one or more fields (e.g.,302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 shown in FIG. 4) of one or more views(e.g., 200 shown in FIG. 3) of the template with information related tothe video game application. In some implementations, the user maypopulate the one or more fields by entering information via userinterface 50. In some implementations, the user may populate the one ormore fields by selecting information from a list of possible choicespreviously generated by template population module 26.

Template population module 26 may be configured to customize (and/orguide a user to customize) the interactive content object generated bysystem 10 with third party media and text assets (e.g., MS Word, AdobePhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, video files, etc.).Template population module 26 may be configured to populate the templategenerated by template generation module 24 with a search engine, anindex generator, a navigable table of contents, expandable assets,embedded media, and/or other features. In some implementations, templatepopulation module 26 may be configured to populate the templategenerated by template generation module 24 with legal pages and/or viewsof other standardized information.

Interactive content object generation module 28 may be configured togenerate the interactive content object. Interactive content objectgeneration module 28 may be configured to generate the interactivecontent object based on the populated template, and/or otherinformation. The interactive content object may comprise electronicmedia files and/or a media player as described with respect to FIG. 1above.

In some implementations, the functionality attributed to parameterdetermination module 22, template generation module 24, templatepopulation module 26, interactive content object generation module 28,and/or other modules may be performed by a parser 27. In someimplementations, parser 27 may comprise a boot application configured tolaunch the interactive content generation application. The bootapplication may be created on a server inside a firewall accessible fromwithin a network protected by the firewall.

Parser 27 may be configured to generate a project type selection pageview. The project type selection page view may allow a user to set theproject type and parameters of the output interactive content object.Users may select the overall template (e.g., a manual) whereinadditional template options may be added as the complexity of theinteractive content object increases. Custom information correspondingto the selected template may also be added.

By way of a non-limiting example, when a manual project type is selectedby the user, the user may be prompted to input a gaming system type andselect one or more available warning, legal, warranty, and/or otherpublisher options. Text fields may be available to enter a game's legalinformation and proper name, which may be inserted into the warning,legal, warranty, and/or other publisher options.

Parser 27 may be configured to generate a document upload screen view.In order to construct an interactive content object file, a properlyformatted document file (e.g., .doc) and working fonts may be uploadedinto the interactive content object generation application. A user maycontinue to generate the interactive content object via parser 27 onceboth have been uploaded.

Parser 27 may be configured to generate selectable format settings.Parser 27 may be configured to review the .doc file, for example, andcreate an active list of available interactive content object formats. Adesigner may use dropdown/value inputs that correspond to the differentformats to set the font (selected from those uploaded), size, basestyle, colors, and/or other parameters when formatting the interactivecontent object. Once the format of the interactive content object isestablished, the user may preview the format and/or enter the parser'sasset uploader.

Parser 27 may include an asset uploader. From within the asset uploader,users may navigate back to the format settings page, or forward to thepreview page, for example.

The asset uploader may be configured to link project assets (e.g., .umd,.jpg, .mp3, and other usable/properly formatted file types). The parsermay be configured to creates a set of lists of requested assets in the.doc, for example, broken down by type. By default, all assets may beset to use an evergreen series of FPO assets. The user may collectassets of a specific type into a directory and then point each list tothe correct directory. When the correct naming convention is used by theuser, the files should link appropriately. If needed, the user may linkindividual files within a list.

The asset uploader may be configured to refine parameters of the projectassets. In some implementations, each requested asset list may present aselectable refinement tab. When a tab is selected, the user may selectindividual assets of the type presented in the list and view their layout with standard parameters. The user may adjust cretin parameters(such as gutter pixel width). Adjustments may be reflected in the baseword document, for example. (Changes that go beyond the refinements ofthe standard parameters may enhance a preview of the application).

Parser 27 may include a preview function. The preview function may allowthe user to review the final output before generating the interactivecontent object. The content of the interactive content object may bedisplayed in a basic layout form with page brakes and spacing accuratelydisplayed. A launch icon for modal content may be shown in the flowwhere the icon may be displayed during use. Modal content may be shownin boxes at the bottom of the page, for example, where it is tethered.

The preview function may facilitate a user navigating back to any pointin the parser flow to make changes, saving the project as a .doc, forexample, that represents the addition of warning, legal, warranty,and/or other pages, formatting changes based on the format settingsadjustments, and/or any refinements made in the asset uploader.

Parser 27 may include an update function. For example, if anythingappears incorrect in the preview, the user may make and save changes tothe .doc, for example, and re-upload it using the update function. Theproject may be rebuilt using the new .doc and the preview may be updatedwith the new content (e.g., after the project has been saved).

Parser 27 may include an export function. When the user is satisfiedwith the preview the export function may generate an interactive contentobject file and export it to a destination of the users choice. In someimplementations, the export function may only be available after theproject has been saved. If changes are made to an aspect of the parsercontent after a save is made, then the changed file may remainunavailable until a new save is made.

FIG. 8 is an example schematic illustration of the functionality ofparser 27. As shown in FIG. 8, parser 27 may be configured to boot theapplication, generate a project type page view for selection of aproject type by a user, upload documents, set the format, upload andlink assets, refine assets, preview the generated interactive contentobject, save the interactive content object, update the interactivecontent object (and re-save if necessary), and export the interactivecontent object.

Returning to FIG. 2, storage module 32 is configured to store thegenerated interactive content object on non-transient electronic storage40. Storage module 32 is configured to store the generated interactivecontent such that the generated interactive content object complies withthe requirements of the video game application and/or the computersystem gaming platform. Storage module 32 may be configured to store theinteractive content object for later transfer to a computer systemgaming platform and/or other interactive media device. Transfer to acomputer system gaming platform and/or other interactive media devicemay comprise remotely transmitting the interactive content object to thecomputer system gaming platform and/or other interactive media deviceover a wireless network, downloading the interactive content object overthe internet, saving a copy to a memory device for manual transmissionto the computer system gaming platform and/or other interactive mediadevice, and/or other modes of transfer.

Non-transient electronic storage 40 may be configured to storeelectronic information. Non-transient electronic storage 40 may beconfigured to store the generated interactive content object. In someimplementations, electronic storage 40 may be configured to store, forexample, entries and/or selections by the user via user interface 50during population of a template. The selections may be accessed byinteractive content object generation module 28 during generation of theinteractive content object and/or at other times. The interactivecontent object generated by interactive content object module 28 may bestored on electronic storage module 40.

Electronic storage 40 may be configured to store software algorithms,information determined by processor 20, information received via userinterface 50, and/or other information that enables system 10 tofunction properly. The electronic storage media of electronic storage 40may comprise one or both of system storage that is provided integrally(i.e., substantially non-removable) with one or more components ofsystem 10 and/or removable storage that is connectable to one or morecomponents of system 10 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, afirewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronicstorage 40 may comprise one or more of optically readable storage media(e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g.,magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electricalcharge-based storage media (e.g., EPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storagemedia (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readablestorage media. Electronic storage 40 may be (in whole or in part) aseparate component within one or more components of system 10, orelectronic storage 40 may be provided (in whole or in part) integrallywith one or more other components of system 10 (e.g., user interface 50,and/or processor 20).

User interface 50 is configured to provide an interface between system10 and one or more users through which the user provides information toand receives information from system 10. This enables data, results,and/or instructions and any other communicable items, collectivelyreferred to as “information,” to be communicated between the user andone or more of processor 20, electronic storage 40, and/or othercomponents of system 10. Examples of interface devices suitable forinclusion in user interface 50 include a keypad, buttons, switches, akeyboard, knobs, track pad/touch panel, levers, a display screen, atouch screen, speakers, a microphone, a printer, and/or other interfacedevices. It is to be understood that other communication techniques,either hard-wired or wireless, are also contemplated by the presentdisclosure as user interface 50. Other exemplary input devices andtechniques adapted for use with system 10 as user interface 50 include,but are not limited to, an RS-232 port, RF link, an IR link, modem(telephone, cable or other). In short, any technique for communicatinginformation with system 10 is contemplated by the present disclosure asuser interface 50.

In some embodiments, information entered by a user through userinterface 50 to system 10 may include, for example, designation of atype of interactive content object (e.g., an instruction manual, astrategy guidebook, a cheat book, a mini-game, or episodic content,etc.), information related to the video game intended to populate one ormore fields of the template, and/or other information.

Processor 20 is configured to provide information processingcapabilities in system 10. As such, processor 20 may include one or moreof a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designedto process information, an analog circuit designed to processinformation, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronicallyprocessing information. Although processor 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as asingle entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In someimplementations, processor 20 includes a plurality of processing units.These processing units may be physically located within the same device,or processor 20 may represent processing functionality of a plurality ofdevices operating in coordination.

Processor 20 may be configured to execute modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or32 by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software,hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuringprocessing capabilities on processor 20. It should be appreciated thatalthough modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and 32 are illustrated in FIG. 1 asbeing co-located within a single processing unit, in implementations inwhich processor 20 includes multiple processing units, one or more ofmodules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 32 may be located remotely from the othermodules. The description of the functionality provided by the differentmodules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 32 described below is for illustrativepurposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of modules 22, 24,26, 28, and/or 32 may provide more or less functionality than isdescribed. For example, one or more of modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 32may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be providedby other ones of modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 32. As another example,processor 20 may be configured to execute one or more additional modulesthat may perform some or all of the functionality attributed below toone of modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 32.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a computer system 700 configuredto execute the interactive content object (e.g., interactive contentobject 2 shown in FIG. 1) generated by system 10 (described in FIG. 2)and/or the video game application. Computer system 700 may be aninteractive media device such as a video game console, a mobile phone, alaptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, and/or otherinteractive media devices. In some implementations, computer system 700may comprise a processor 702, non-transient storage media 704, a userinterface 706, a display 708, and/or other components.

Processor 702 is configured to provide information processingcapabilities in computer system 700. As such, processor 702 may includeone or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digitalcircuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed toprocess information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms forelectronically processing information. Although processor 702 is shownin FIG. 9 as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. Insome implementations, processor 702 includes a plurality of processingunits. These processing units may be physically located within the samedevice, or processor 702 may represent processing functionality of aplurality of devices operating in coordination.

In some implementations, processor 702 may be configured to obtain theinteractive content object. Obtaining the interactive content object maycomprise receiving transmission of the interactive content object from aserver via communication with the server over a wired and/or wirelessnetwork, downloading the interactive content object directly from thenon-transient electronic storage of another device (e.g., non-transientelectronic storage 40 shown in FIG. 2), saving the interactive contentobject from a memory device (e.g., a CDROM, USB flash drive, etc.) formanual transmission to computer system 700, and/or other modes ofobtaining the interactive content object.

By way of a non-limiting example, FIG. 10 schematically illustratescommunication between computer system 700 and server 800 via a networkcloud 802. Computer system 700 may be configured to receive transmissionof the interactive content object from server 800 via network 802.Communication between computer system 700 and server 800 via network 802may provide the ability for remote updating of the interactive contentobject. The electronic update to the interactive content object receivedby computer system 700 may be configured such that it does not updatethe video game application.

Server 800 may be configured to communicate with one or more clientcomputing platforms (e.g., computer system 700) according to a clientcomputing platform. In some implementations, communication may bewireless. In some implementations, server 800, computer system 700,and/or external resources may be operatively linked via one or moreelectronic communication links. For example, such electroniccommunication links may be established, at least in part, via a networksuch as the Internet and/or other networks (e.g., network 802). It willbe appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that thescope of this disclosure includes implementations in which server 800,computer system 700, and/or external resources may be operatively linkedvia some other communication media.

Returning to FIG. 9, Processor 702 may be configured to store theinteractive content object on non-transient storage media 704. Processor702 may be configured to store the interactive content object responsiveto obtaining the interactive content object. In some embodiments,non-transient storage media 704 may be configured to store softwarealgorithms, information determined by processor 702, informationreceived via user interface 706, and/or other information that enablescomputer system 700 to function properly. The electronic storage mediaof non-transient storage media 704 may comprise one or both of systemstorage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable)with one or more components of computer system 700 and/or removablestorage that is connectable to one or more components of computer system704 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.)or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). In some implementations,non-transient storage media 704 and non-transient electronic storage 40may be the same storage media.

Processor 702 may be configured to execute the interactive contentobject. The interactive content object may comprise one or moreelectronic media files and/or a media player as described above withrespect to FIG. 1-FIG. 7. The one or more electronic media files maycomprise a different file type compared to the video game applicationsuch that the one or more electronic media files may be executed withinthe video game application, by the video game application. The mediaplayer may be configured to execute one or more of the electronic mediafiles. Execution of the media files and/or the media player is describedabove with respect to FIG. 1.

In some implementations, computer system 700 may be configured todisplay the information related to the video game application to a uservia display 708. Display 708 may be configured to present visualinformation to users. By way of non-limiting example, display 708 mayinclude one or more of a television, a projector, a three dimensionaldisplay, a computer monitor, and/or other external display devices. Insome implementations, the information displayed to the user may bedisplayed on a wireless client (not shown) that is separate fromcomputer system 700. The wireless client may be configured tocommunicate with computer system 700 through a wireless network.

User interface 706 is configured to provide an interface betweencomputer system 700 and one or more users through which the userprovides information to and receives information from computer system700. This enables data, results, and/or instructions and any othercommunicable items, collectively referred to as “information,” to becommunicated between the user and one or more of processor 702 and/orother components of system 10. Examples of interface devices suitablefor inclusion in user interface 50 include a keyboard, a touch screen, aprinter, and/or other interface devices.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method 900 for automated generation of aninteractive content object with a generation system. The interactivecontent object may be configured with content related to a video gameapplication. The generation system may comprise non-transient electronicstorage and a processor. The processor may be configured to executecomputer program modules. The computer program modules may comprise aparameter determination module, a template generation module, a templatepopulation module, an interactive content object generation module, anda storage module.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method 1000 to execute an interactive contentobject. The interactive content object may be configured with contentrelated to a video game application. Method 1000 may be implemented on acomputer system. The computer system may be configured to execute thevideo game application.

The operations of methods 900, and/or 1000 presented below are intendedto be illustrative. In some implementations, methods 900 and/or 1000 maybe accomplished with one or more additional operations not described,and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally,the order in which the operations of methods 900 and/or 1000 areillustrated in FIG. 11 and/or FIG. 12 and described below is notintended to be limiting.

In some implementations, methods 900 and/or 1000 may be implemented inone or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analogprocessor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analogcircuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices executing some or allof the operations of method 900 and/or 1000 in response to instructionsstored electronically on one or more electronic storage mediums. The oneor more processing devices may include one or more devices configuredthrough hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designedfor execution of one or more of the operations of methods 900 and/or1000.

Referring to FIG. 11, at an operation 902 of method 900, parametersrelated to the video game application are determined with the parameterdetermination module. In some implementations, operation 902 may beperformed by a parameter determination module the same as or similar toparameter determination module 22 (shown in FIG. 2 and describedherein).

At an operation 904, a template is generated with the templategeneration module. The template is generated by selecting one or moreviews from a set of template components. The selection of the one ormore template views is based on information determined by the parametermodule. In some implementations, operation 904 may be performed by atemplate generation module the same as or similar to template generationmodule 24 (shown in FIG. 2 and described herein).

At an operation 906, the template is populated with information relatedto the video game application by the template population module. In someimplementations, operation 906 may be performed by a template populationmodule the same as or similar to template population module 26 (shown inFIG. 2 and described herein).

At an operation 908, the interactive content object is generated. Theinteractive content object is generated based on the populated template.The interactive content object comprises electronic media files and amedia player. The media player is configured to execute one or more ofthe electronic media files within the video game application. The mediaplayer is executable by the video game application. In someimplementations, operation 908 may be performed by an interactivecontent object generation module the same as or similar to interactivecontent object generation module 28 (shown in FIG. 2 and describedherein).

At an operation 910, the interactive content object may be stored on thenon-transient electronic storage with the storage module. In someimplementations, operation 910 may be performed by a storage module thesame as or similar to storage module 32 (shown in FIG. 2 and describedherein).

Referring to FIG. 12, at an operation 1002 of method 1000, aninteractive content object having content related to the video gameapplication may be obtained. The interactive content object comprisesone or more electronic media files and a media player. The media playermay be configured to execute one or more of the electronic media files.The media player is executable by the video game application. In someimplementations, operation 1002 may be performed by a processor the sameas or similar to processor 702 (shown in FIG. 9 and described herein).

At an operation 1004, the video game application is executed. In someimplementations, operation 1004 may be performed by a processor the sameas or similar to processor 702 (shown in FIG. 9 and described herein).

At an operation 1006, electronic media files are executed with the videogame application. In some implementations, operation 1006 may beperformed by a processor the same as or similar to processor 702 (shownin FIG. 9 and described herein).

At an operation 1008, information related to the video game applicationis determined. In some implementations, operation 1008 may be performedby a processor the same as or similar to processor 702 (shown in FIG. 9and described herein).

At an operation 1010, the information related to the video gameapplication may be displayed to a user responsive to user inputrequesting information. In some implementations, operation 1010 may beperformed by a display the same as or similar to display 708 (shown inFIG. 9 and described herein).

At an operation 1012, the determined and displayed information may beupdated based on one or more of user input, the user's progressionthrough the video game application, or an electronic update to theinteractive content object received by the computer system. In someimplementations, operation 1012 may be performed by a processor the sameas or similar to processor 702 (shown in FIG. 9 and described herein).

Although the system(s) and/or method(s) of this disclosure have beendescribed in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what iscurrently considered to be the most practical and preferredimplementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely forthat purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosedimplementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any implementation can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other implementation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for automated generation of views of aninteractive content object for presentation to a user within a currentlyrunning video game application, the interactive content object havingcontent related to the currently running a video game application, thesystem comprising: non-transient electronic storage configured to storeelectronic information; and a processor configured to execute computerprogram modules, the computer program modules comprising: a parameterdetermination module configured to obtain user information thatindicates current game play data from the video game application; atemplate generation module configured to: generate a template for theinteractive content object, the template specifying one or more chaptersfor the interactive content object, wherein an individual chaptercomprises one or more view layouts, the one or more views layoutsdefined by the interactive content object for presentation to the user,the view layouts comprising one or more view layout types, the viewlayout types including one or more of a text view layout, a gamepad viewlayout, a screenshot view layout, or a video view layout, an individualview layout comprising multiple template components, the templatecomponents including a navigational linkage that indicates anavigational position within the chapters of the interactive contentobject and facilitates navigation between chapters and views of theinteractive content object, and one or more of an entry field, text, agraphic, a search field, or a video field; and select the templatecomponents for the view layouts based on the user information, the typeof view layout, and the chapter; a template population module configuredto populate the template components selected by the template generationmodule with information related to the video game application, theinformation related to the video came application being dynamicallydetermined based on the user information that indicates current gameplay data from the video game application; an interactive content objectgeneration module configured to generate the interactive content objectbased on the populated template, the interactive content objectcomprising: electronic media files that define the views of theinteractive content object including the information related to thevideo game application; and a media player configured to execute one ormore of the electronic media files within the video game application toeffectuate presentation of the views of the interactive content objectwithin a user interface of the video game application, the media playerexecutable by the video game application; and a storage moduleconfigured to store the interactive content object on the non-transientelectronic storage.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the parametermodule is configured such that the user information further comprisesone or more of the video game application assets, an interactive mediadevice configured to run the video game application, a video gameapplication controller, a game genre, or a target demographic.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the interactive content object comprises oneor more of an instruction manual, a strategy guidebook, a cheat book, amini-game, or episodic content.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein a userdetermines the type of interactive content object by making selectionsvia the user interface, the user interface configured to provide aninterface between the system and the user through which the userprovides information to and receives information from the system.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the template population module is configuredto guide a user to populate the template with information related to thevideo game application.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the templatepopulation module is configured to guide a user to populate one or moretemplate components of one or more views layouts of the template withinformation related to the video game application.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the user populates the one or more template componentsvia the user interface, the user interface configured to provide aninterface between the system and the user through which the userprovides information to and receives information from the system.
 8. Amethod for automated generation of views of an interactive contentobject for presentation to a user with a generation system, theinteractive content object having content related to a currently runningvideo game application, the interactive content object presented to theuser within the currently running video game application, the generationsystem comprising non-transient electronic storage and a processor, theprocessor configured to execute computer program modules, the computerprogram modules comprising a parameter determination module, a templategeneration module, a template population module, an interactive contentobject generation module, and a storage module, the method comprising:obtaining, with the parameter determination module, user informationthat indicates current game play data from the video game application;generating a template for the interactive content object with thetemplate generation module, the template specifying one or more chaptersfor the interactive content object, wherein an individual chaptercomprises one or more view layouts, the one or more view layouts definedby the interactive content object for presentation to a user, the viewlayouts comprising one or more view layout types, the view layout typesincluding one or more of a text view layout, a gamepad view layout, ascreenshot view layout, or a video view layout, an individual viewlayout comprising multiple template components, the template componentsincluding a navigational linkage that indicates a navigational positionwithin the chapters of the interactive content object and facilitatesnavigation between chapters and views of the interactive content object,and one or more of an entry field, text, a graphic, a search field, or avideo field; selecting, with the template generation module, thetemplate components for the view layouts based on the user information,the type of view, and the chapter; populating the selected templatecomponents with information related to the video game application withthe template population module, the information related to the videogame application being dynamically determined based on the userinformation; generating the interactive content object based on thepopulated template with the interactive content object generationmodule, the interactive content object comprising: electronic mediafiles that define the views of the interactive content object includingthe information related to the video game application; and a mediaplayer configured to execute one or more of the electronic media fileswithin the video game application to effectuate presentation of theviews of the interactive content object within a user interface of thevideo game application, the media player executable by the video gameapplication; and storing the interactive content object on thenon-transient electronic storage with the storage module.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein the user information further comprises one or moreof the video game application assets, an interactive media deviceconfigured to run the video game application, a video game applicationcontroller, a game genre, or a target demographic.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the generated interactive content object complies withtechnical requirements of an interactive media device configured to runthe video game application.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein theinteractive content object comprises one or more of an instructionmanual, a strategy guidebook, a cheat book, a mini-game, or episodiccontent.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining thetype of interactive content object based on selections received via theuser interface, the user interface configured to provide an interfacebetween the system and the user through which the user providesinformation to and receives information from the system.
 13. The methodof claim 8, further comprising guiding a user to populate the templatewith information related to the video game application with the templatepopulation module.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprisingguiding a user, with the template population module, to populate one ormore template components of one or more views layouts of the templatewith information related to the video game application.
 15. The methodof claim 14, further comprising populating the one or more templatecomponents via the user interface, the user interface configured toprovide an interface between the system and the user through which theuser provides information to and receives information from the system.16. A method to execute an interactive content object having contentrelated to a video game application, the method implemented on acomputer system, the computer system configured to execute the videogame application, the method comprising: obtaining an interactivecontent object having content related to the video game application, theinteractive content object comprising one or more electronic media filesthat define views of the interactive content object and a media player,the views being organized into chapters, the views comprising one ormore view types within a chapter, the view types including one or moreof a text view, a gamepad view, a screenshot view, or a video view, anindividual view comprising multiple components, the components includinga navigational linkage that indicates a navigational position within thechapters and facilitates navigation between chapters and views, and oneor more of an entry field, text, a graphic, or a search filed, thetemplate components for the views being selected based on userinformation that indicates current game play data from the video gameapplication, the type of view, and the chapter, the media playerconfigured to execute one or more of the electronic media files withinthe video game application to effectuate presentation of the chaptersand views of the interactive content object within a user interface ofthe video game application, the media player executable by the videogame application; executing the video game application; and executingthe electronic media files with the video game application; execution ofthe electronic media files comprising: determining information relatedto the video game application, the information related to the video gameapplication being dynamically determined based on the user informationthat indicates current game play data from the video game application,and/or saved game play data from the video game application; displayingthe information related to the video game application to a user withinthe user interface responsive to user input requesting information; andupdating the determined and displayed information based on one or moreof user input, the user's play within the video game application, or anelectronic update to the interactive content object received by thecomputer system.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the computer systemcomprises non-transient storage media, and wherein the interactivecontent object is stored on the non-transient storage media.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the computer system is an interactive mediadevice, and wherein the interactive media device comprises one or moreof a video game console, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, or a tablet computer.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein theone or more electronic media files comprise a different file typecompared to the video game application such that the one or moreelectronic media files may be executed within the video gameapplication, by the video game application.
 20. The method of claim 16,wherein the electronic update to the interactive content object receivedby the computer system does not update the video game application. 21.The method of claim 16, wherein determining the information related tothe video game application comprises one or more of reading current gameplay data from the video game application, reading the saved data fromthe video game application, performing a search within the video gameapplication based on user input, or tracking video game applicationmetrics.
 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the interactive contentobject comprises one or more of an instruction manual, a strategyguidebook, a cheat book, a mini-game, or episodic content.
 23. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the media player is an Adobe Flash mediaplayer.
 24. The method of claim 16, wherein the information displayed tothe user is displayed on a wireless client that is separate from thecomputer system, and wherein the wireless client is configured tocommunicate with the computer system through a wireless network.